"We are in a position to rapidly evolve towards the creation of the Economic Concertation Council that includes renowned figures from the economy, law, sociology, businessmen and others," said the chief executive, in the opening speech of a meeting with civil society about the impact of covid-19 on companies and families.
The meeting brought together about 150 people, including associative representatives, businessmen, academics, businessmen and religious leaders, of whom eight intervened to point out the difficulties and solutions for their sectors.
With this meeting, João Lourenço wanted to request contributions "in the search for a way out" that defends public health, while at the same time "towards the normalization of people's social life", recovering the national production of goods and services, increasing exports and job offer.
"I believe that with the current openness and the ease of frank and open dialogue between the executive and civil society, we will find the best paths in the interests of families, companies and the national economy", he stressed.
As for the Economic Conciliation Council, it will be "an important and very inclusive instrument at the service of decision-making bodies in matters of economic policy".
The focal point will be the Minister for Economic Coordination, Manuel Nunes Júnior.
At the meeting with civil society, where, in addition to João Lourenço, the first lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, the vice president, Bornito de Sousa, the president of the National Assembly, Fernando da Piedade dos Santos "Nandó", the President he underlined that he decided to broaden the dialogue "not so much to talk about the present, but to trace the lines of the post-covid-19" and save the economy, the lives of companies, employment, the lives of citizens.
"I hope that at the end of this extended meeting we will be able to have a deeper view of the current epidemiological, economic and social situation in the country, in order to address with greater frankness the impact of covid-19 on the economy and on the lives of families," said the president .
João Lourenço stressed that Angola continues, with 77 cases of infection, to be one of the countries least affected by covid-19, adding that it is necessary to start thinking about a relief plan for families and companies, taking into account the epidemiological scenarios that appear, so that "productive life can resume its course as normal as possible".
"We live in dramatic times, without being able to predict the duration of the pandemic and its consequences in the medium / long term in the daily lives of the population and in the economic life of our country", reinforced the head of state, calling attention to the need to adopt preventive behaviors, such as wearing masks, keeping distance, hand hygiene, as part of daily life and for an indefinite period.
"These good practices also prevent the contagion and spread of other diseases that are sometimes endemic, such as cholera, yellow fever, measles, tuberculosis, leprosy, Ebola and Marburg, which, as we know, are emerging cyclically on our continent" , he added.
